Sanding

[Bernie Weishapl]

While out of town my wife wanted me to stop at a beauty supply place and get her some finger nail buffers. While there I found finger nail files about 1/2" wide and 5" long. I picked some up to try when doing pens. They come in 240, 320, 400, 600, 1400, and 2000 grit. I bought 3 ea of the above and it was cheaper than the 4 micro mesh pads that I bought at woodcraft. The gal told me they would be cheaper to buy them by the box. We will see what happens. If they work I may put in my order. They also had them in 80, 100, 180 grit. I wish now I had got some of those.

[John Hart]

What a great idea!! Are these the ones that look like a micromesh pad? Kinda spongy but stiff? I bet I could steal....err...borrow a few around here! I'd put them back of course after I was done tryin' 'em out!:D

[Bernie Weishapl]

One and the same John. I just came it from trying them out on some wood and found out they work great. SWMBO told me hands off hers. So if they work as I think they will, I guess I will be stopping by and ordering me a bunch more. John you had better be sneaky.

[Bill Stevener]

Bernie, do they have a brand name, or mfg. on them?

Bill..>>>>>>>>>>>>>>:)

[Bernie Weishapl]

Don't know Bill. They are out in the shop. Will look at them tomorrow and let you know.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Bill, the names on the finger nail files I got were Beauty Secrets and Tropical Shine. They had them in bins at the beauty supply store with the grit on the bin tag. I forgot that I use them in my clock repair business when polishing pivots. They work great for that and thought maybe they would be good for pen work.

[John Hart]

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/uncommonscents_1873_375844

Tropical Shine 4-Way Nail Buffer


<MAP name=c7bb43a1a190156><AREA shape=RECT coords=0,0,160,85 href="http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/uncommonscents_1876_5674688"></MAP>http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/uncommonscents_1876_5680071Tropical Shine manufactures "The Finest Nail Files in the World". This product offers economy and simplicity with its four soft-abrasive buffing surfaces on one 7 1/2 X 3/4 inch nail grooming implement. This item easily smoothes, buffs, polishes, and shines the nail surface. The 4-Way Buffer will create a dazzling shine on any natural or acrylic nail. The 4-Way Buffer is washable and reusable. TS4WAYhttp://us.st1.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/Img/trans_1x1.gif$3.95, 3 for $10.50

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/uncommonscents_1876_5724700 (http://uncommonscents.com/index.html)

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=585 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width=585>http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/uncommonscents_1876_5736685http://us.st1.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/Img/trans_1x1.gif Tropical Shine
Blue Nail File - Medium


This flexible, washable nail file is medium coarseness on both sides.

7.5" x .75"


<FORM action=http://order.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/wg-order?uncommonscents+nail-file method=post>Tropical Shine Blue Nail File - Medium
TSBLUEhttp://us.st1.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/Img/trans_1x1.gif$1.50, 3 for $3.75</FORM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Bernie Weishapl]

Here are the ones I picked up. They do show the grits on them. I didn't take pictures of two of them as they are 80 and 120 grit. The one that is a different shape is 800, 1400 and 2000 grit.

[tod evans]

bernie my hat is off to you! looking to other "industries" for woodworking supplies is a great way to save money and lots of the time you get a better product than those promoted in the catalogues. thanks for the idea, tod

[Bob Noles]

Super idea Bernie and I'll be giving those a try if they work out for you. Keep us posted.

[John Hart]

Well gang....Oh...nice Avatar Bernie!

Well gang...I just snuck out of work and ran to the drug store and bought every grit of nail care thinger dinger I could find. I even got the 7-way buffer pad thingy. This one has 7 different buffing surfaces...designed for bare nails, plastic nails, lacquered nails. Anyhoo...This is the same material as the micromesh. The boards have a stiffener board substrate under the foam. That may or may not be a hinderance...Might even help in some cases. The 7-way buffer thing is all foam. They are washable too. These particular ones are made by Trim. (http://www.trim.com/manicure.php) but they look the same as the ones Bernie got.

The only disadvantage I can think of is with regard to shape. The micromesh pads have a large square area. These are narrow and long. But I still think they are workable. I'm going to try them on some Marking knives tonight (new designs).

[Bob Noles]

I think I see an oncoming problem this Bernie trouble maker is bringing our way.

Every woodturner out there is going to make a run on these things and the drug stores are going to be out of stock and backordered to the eyeballs.

Now here comes the problem..... the love's of our lives are going to be so mad at us because they cannot file their nails, that we are going to be sleeping in our cold cold shops for the remainder of the winter :eek: Personally, Im going to make my own run on the drug store and get an electric blanket for my shop before y'all clean those out too :rolleyes:

Thanks a lot Bernie :p :D

[Andy Hoyt]

The concept is very cool; but I'll wager three itty bittys that slow slow slow slow slow speed will be the answer if those things are gonna work.

[Bill Stevener]

Bernie, John, thanks for the info. We have a large beauty supply store south about 10 mi. I am waiting to hear the results, if all is well I will be going south, and will not be affecting the local drug stores, and the ladies in town will just be delighted. :D

Bill.>>>>>>>>>>>>>:)

[Loy Hawes]

Between the shop fashion thread in General Woodworking and Power Tools, and this thread on nail files. You boys are starting to worry me!


:D :D :D

[Wolf Kiessling]

been using those things for a few years now. They work particularly good on wood sculptures. I use the spring loaded sanding stix also but the belts for them are a little on the high side. These nail files are cheap and very effective. I mostly use the rougher grits, 100, 120 and 180. I have used them on turnings but find them to be not as effective as hand held, folded in quarters paper.

[John Hart]

Between the shop fashion thread in General Woodworking and Power Tools, and this thread on nail files. You boys are starting to worry me!


:D :D :D

I'll keep cutting my nails with wire cutters and an x-acto knife if that'll make you feel better. I keep them in my pink sequined music box. ;)



...I have used them on turnings but find them to be not as effective as hand held, folded in quarters paper.

I'm giving them a try tonight...but you may be right about "old reliable" Wolf. It's encouraging that you use them on your carvings though. That recent Bust that you posted is just awesome.

[Ernie Nyvall]

Good idea Bernie. I guess Ill give'er a try.

Ernie

[Bill Stevener]

Bernie, John, these things working out???

Bill.>>>>>>>>>>>>>:)

[John Hart]

I just came up from the shop. I tried them out on some Marking Knives I'm working on. They have two problems:
1. When trying to get down in the tight areas of beads on a spindle, they tear up a bit so you're better off using a folded sheet of sandpaper for that.
2. They hate heat. If the lathe is spinning fast (1000+), the heat build up happens pretty quick and they deteriorate immediately.

Aside from that...they work very well. I ended up with a very glossy surface on Osage Orange and Cocobolo. I think I'll keep using them. I have yet to try the buffing pad, but I have a feeling that it'll work out very well. For pens, I think they'll be a breeze.

All in all....I give them a thumbs up. Good idea Bernie!!